Structural beam

ABSTRACT

A structural beam having a plurality of tabs integrally formed with the sidewall of the beam. The tabs are formed from punched-out sections of the sidewall by a rolling guide with a punch that pierces a portion of the sidewall in order to forcibly bend the section outward to define the tab. Each of the respective tabs in the plurality are substantially curved in side elevational view and closely represented by a half U-shaped tab. One end of the tab is integrally formed with the sidewall by a bend or fold joint while the other end is cantilevered outwardly in a lateral direction from the sidewall and is substantially curved in a direction over the opening or hole caused by the punch procedure. The distal end of the tab resides midway across the opening. The tabs are formed on structural beams which may be arranged vertically or horizontally on a building structure or construction.

Priority claimed Based on Ser. No. 60/498,934 filed Sept. 2, 2003 PENDING

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a structural beam having a plurality of curved tabs for securing with concrete material.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

In the building and construction industry, it has always been difficult to join a structural beam with surrounding wall material as concrete. Unless a secure and tight interface is created, the marginal regions of the concrete will crack or separate from adjacent supporting beams or the like.

Conventionally, the sidewall of a beam is formed with outwardly projecting tabs of various shapes and degrees of rigidity. Most such tabs are of an L-shape in side elevational view. The L-shape is difficult to punch out from the sidewall due to the extreme right angle required which joins the two legs of the L-shape together. The machinery needed to punch this L-shape is expensive and passes the costs of the product to the user. Also, the surrounding concrete does not completely engage the tab surface area, particularly around the right angle joint. An example of such a tab is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,151,858.

Therefore, a long-standing need has existed to provide a structural beam that lends itself to be punched through its sidewall to provide a plurality of spaced-apart tabs that is integral with the sidewall and does not employ a right angled tab but provides a curved outwardly projecting cantilevered tab. Preferably, the curved end of the tab is bent over the opening in the opposite direction that the “L” tab is bent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the above problems and difficulties are avoided by the present invention which provides a structural beam having a plurality of tabs integrally formed with the sidewall of the beam. The tabs are formed from sections of the sidewall by means of a rolling guide with a punch that pierces a portion of the sidewall in order to force the section outward to define the tab. Each of the respective tabs in the plurality are substantially curved in side elevational view and are closely represented by a half U-shaped tab. One end of the tab is integrally formed with the sidewall by a bend or fold joint while the other end is cantilevered outwardly in a lateral direction from the sidewall and is substantially curved in a direction over the opening or hole caused by the punch procedure. The distal end of the tab resides approximately across the opening. The tabs are formed on structural beams which may be arranged vertically or horizontally on a building structure or construction. Walls are formed on the building slab and lightweight steel beams (studs and track) are framed into building panels, the beams (studs and track) are positioned above the slab allowing 1½″ to 2″ of concrete to flow under the tabs, through the openings, and against the surface of the sidewall so that improved and enhanced adhesion results in embedding the curved tabs in to the concrete. When the concrete hardens, the panel is tilted up and placed as a wall or other building element such as a deck or roof panel.

Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present invention to provide a novel structural beam having curved tabs which are cantilevered outwardly from the side of the sidewalls of a structural beam.

Another object of the invention is to provide a curved tab outwardly projecting from a sidewall which provides improved adhesion with surrounding concrete material.

Yet another object is to provide a structural beam wherein the plurality of tabs are formed in the sidewall of the beam by means of a rolling punch so that the plurality of tabs are formed in fixed, spaced-apart relationship along the length of the sidewall.

A further object resides in providing an improved integral tab punched from a sidewall of a structural beam which includes a linear portion extending normal to the sidewall and then curved over the punched-out opening to terminate with a distal end approximately midway between opposite ends of the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood with reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view illustrating a pair of structural beams which incorporate the curved tabs of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a curved tab taken in the direction of arrows 2-2 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, the novel tab for structural beams is indicated in the general direction of arrow 10 and vertical and horizontal beams 11 and 12 are illustrated. Beam 12 is horizontal and beam 11 is illustrated in a vertical orientation and is supported by a web 13 between a pair of sidewalls 14 and 15. Likewise, structural beam 11 includes a central web 16 defined between sidewalls 17 and 18. Sidewalls 17 and 18 include inwardly facing flanges 20 and 21.

Each of the respective structural beams include a plurality of outwardly projected cantilevered curved tabs, such as tab 22, which are formed from sidewall 18 by a punch (not shown) that pierces through the sidewall forcing the section forming tab 22 outwardly leaving a hole or opening 23 remaining in the sidewall. It is to be particularly noted that the tab is integral with the sidewall, as indicated by bend or fold 24. Tab 25 is formed in the same way and is in spaced relationship with respect to tab 22. The tabs, such as tabs 22 and 25, are curved in side-elevational view, as shown in FIG. 2, and a substantial curve is indicated in the area of the tab by numeral 26.

It is to be noted that identical tabs 30 and 31 are formed in the sidewall 15 of the beam 12. As defined earlier, each tab, such as tab 31, includes a substantial curved area 32, which joins the foot of the tab with a short linear distal end at bend or fold joint 33.

Referring to FIG. 2, tab 22 is illustrated as having been punched from sidewall 18 leaving a punched-out hole or opening 23. The tab is integrally joined with the sidewall by the bend or fold 24 with a first linear portion 34 being substantially normal to the surface of the sidewall. The first portion 34 continues into the curved portion 26, followed by a second portion 35 that is linear and terminates at a distal end 36 residing over the hole or opening 23 midway between its opposite ends.

Cement or other adhesive-type filler material is introduced under pressure to fill the opening and securely attaches to the curved tab 22 and any tabs intended to be secured. By constructing the tab with curved portion 26, the cement fills the space between the opening and the underside of tab portion 35. No gaps, voids or spaces are experienced, particularly under the curved portion 26.

Since the length of the opening 23 is greater than the length of the tab second portion 35, cement is conducted around distal end 36 to flow over second portion 35. Once cured, the cement completely adheres to all surfaces of the tab to provide structural support and rigidity.

In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that the curved tabs will provide a greater area for adhering to surrounding concrete or other material and that the tab is substantially different from prior L-shaped tabs which may provide air pockets between the concrete and surface of the tab. By employing the rounded or curved area of the inventive tabs, no voids, gaps or spaces are created between the concrete material and the surface of the tab. Therefore, greater stability, adhesion, and securement is provided.

The curved tab is an improvement for the industry by allowing a rolling punch to be coupled together with the high speed steel beam (stud and track) forming machinery that is now used. The current L-tab punching process is too slow to be included in the forming process. Also, the curved tab punching machinery can be scaled down to be portable so that steel beams (stud and track) can be punched on the job site. This unique design of the curved tab allows both types of punch presses to be used and this will significantly lower costs to the end user of the product.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention. 

1. A structural beam comprising: a structural beam having a sidewall of a given thickness; a punched cut-out in said sidewall constituting a tab cantilevered laterally with respect to said sidewall; said tab having a first portion integral with said sidewall and connected therewith by a bent joint; said tab having a second portion extending perpendicular with respect to said first portion in fixed, spaced-apart relationship to said sidewall; and a curved portion integrally connecting said first portion with said second portion.
 2. The structural beam defined in claim 1 wherein: said sidewall is provided with a punch-out opening defined by said punched cut-out and said second portion having a distal end terminating midway between opposite ends of said opening.
 3. The structural beam defined in claim 2 wherein: said first portion and said second portion are linear.
 4. The structural beam defined in claim 3 wherein: said tab defines a space between an underside of said second portion and said sidewall which is open and in communication with said opening.
 5. The structural beam defined in claim 4 wherein: said opening conducting a filling substance about said tab and for occupying said space.
 6. The structural beam defined in claim 5 wherein: said tab is of an area equal to the area defining said opening.
 7. The structural beam defined in claim 6 wherein: said tab having a width and a length equal to a width and length of said opening. 